"Really dirty city - not like it was 15 years ago!"

Who is in charge of this city? They act like no one cares about how dirty the city looks and feels. Back in the early 2000s, it was awesome and clean. No more. Does the Mayor even know what is happening in his city? Time for new leadership.

"Fast paced, exciting, and expensive"

Growing up in Ohio, I LOVED visiting NYC when I was a kid. In fact, I loved it so much that I ended up living there for 5 years after college. Now, I live in Seattle but still visit the city at least once a year to visit friends.

New York is one of those cities that you either love or hate. For me, its a bit of both. It was a treat for the first few yearsI loved being able to catch a show any night of the week, the nightlife and shopping was on a whole other level. I enjoyed being able to walk or take the metro everywhere, without the need for a car.

But after 3 or 4 years it started wearing on me. The fast pace of life that is invigorating at first began to feel relentless. The 70+ hour work weeks that are practically a requirement as an attorney left little time for rest and travel. These hours are also the norm for tech, finance, and startups. This exhausting schedule begins to detract from quality of life after some time.

Part of the reason that people work such long hours is to pay for the extremely high cost of living in the city. I wont spend much time on it here, because you probably already know that rent is extortionate, and the scarcity of apartments is dire. An apartment will go on the market and be gone within a few hours. In fact, most apartments are leased based on who the leasing agents know. They often fill it before they even list it. If there does happen to be a rare open house, people bring their checkbooks to viewing appointments. Its unfortunate to have so little choice in where you make your home. I lived in 2 different apartments during my time there, and they both absorbed the majority of my income.

The other big reason why I ended up moving is the lack of access to outdoor recreation. Dont get me wrong, I adore Central Park and the little neighborhood green spaces, but getting to the mountains is definitely a mission in NYC. And growing up in Ohio, I was used to quick access to hiking and skiing. Now in Seattle Im loving the outdoors accessibility and have been skiing practically every weekend in the winter and hiking most weekends in the summer.

But of course there are plenty of things that I love about NYC. For one, the people. There are so many different kinds of people in NYC that it is amazing. In many cities, such as Seattle, the city ends up being segregated in some ways and you can accidentally surround yourself with people just like you. I also love the social scene and the nightlife in the city. Theres such a constant hum of energy, and so many interesting things to do and see. Lastly, the shopping. Theres simply no other place Ive been to that has such a fun and varied shopping scene, especially once you explore some of the smaller, more creative, and lesser-known shops that are out of the tourist scene.

"The beautiful, crazy, nonstop city"

How to describe the colorful, ever-changing, noisy, gorgeous city that is New York? It really differs based on which neighborhood you’re in, but I’ll give it my best shot to describe it overall.

THE GOOD:

NYC has such an amazing diversity of people. You can meet people from everywhere in the world, with every skill set imaginable, from so many cultures and languages… and that’s just on the subway on your way into the city. The city is so dense that you’re automatically going to meet people from other industries and backgrounds by default, which is amazing.

Part of why you’ll meet so many interesting people is because of all the events. There is just SO MUCH to do in this city. You can find a hundred different things to do each night, many of which are low cost or free (which kind of makes up for the unaffordable rent, a tiny bit). Museums, theater, music in the park, dancing, happy hours, parties, artwork, brunch, sports, it never ends. ……

But the culture here isn’t just about a huge roster of events, it’s also that people tend to be very open to going out, being socially active, and making new friends. As a Seattleite, this isn’t something to take for granted and definitely isn’t part of the culture of every city. If New York was a person, it would be the social butterfly, always interested in meeting new people, going to events all the time, and never having a dull moment.

The food is so good. You can find some of the best in the world for whatever type of food you like. The best ramen, the best pizza, the best sushi. For sure the best brunch, which is a vital weekend meal here, and probably the only time New Yorkers actually slow down. The only trouble is eating out can get very expensive. But at the same time, depending on where you live, it can be tough to cook all your meals at home because the grocery stores are also expensive and sometimes hard to come by.

THE BAD:

NYC is always humming with life—which is good. But this means that you have to get used to sleeping with noise, or get earplugs. The noise just never stops in this city. You get used to it after a while, but it can still be draining to not have a quiet space. Especially if you’re in an older building where you can also hear everything your neighbors are up to, whether you want to or not.

The lack of access to nature isn’t great either. Sure you can go to a park, but to get out into the mountains to go for a hike, you really need a car and a lot of time—both things most New Yorkers don’t typically have. So that’s a trade off, because you definitely can feel like you need some fresh air once in a while.

The last detriment to NYC is the cost. Rent is obscenely high. It can be stressful, even for the mid to high wage earners, because apartments are simply so scarce, and so expensive. Sure, you might be earning a higher wage in NYC than your job in another city, but your standard of living isn’t going to change because renting your tiny studio is going to eat up most of your income. And right now there’s really no way to avoid that without a super long commute. I honestly have no idea how minimum or low wage earners live here.

THE GOOD/BAD:

Lastly I’ll mention the fast pace. It’s a cliché, but it’s true that this is a city that never sleeps. There is a whole other standard of work and social activity that I’ve never seen anywhere else. People work ridiculous hours, go out after work, sleep for a few hours, then do it all again. This can be both exhilarating and exhausting. But it’s really hard to NOT do it, because everyone else is doing it. So the excitement and fun of a non-stop life have to be worth the weariness that it can cause if you want to live in this beautiful crazy city.

"The biggest and best city there is - if you are up for it (and can afford it)"

Life in New York City is great, but it's not for everyone.

A lot of people say that New York city can chew you up and spit you out like a cold dirty bitch...and guess what...its true. My first few months in SOHO I was scarred to hell because life here is really fast paced. Unless you are used to fast subways, fast business, fast social scene etc then I would steer clear. I do see a lot of people come to live in NYC only to leave 6 months later because they cannot handle the pace.

Also be aware that New York is one of the most expensive places to live on earth. Make sure you can afford to live here.

HOWEVER if you can afford it and are after the fast pace lifestyle then this is a city for you. Make sure you chose your neighborhood wisely though, because they all differ greatly! I live in SOHO, and i can't speak higher of it for young trendy people.

"Theres Nothing You Cant Do"

New York is a fantastic blast to live, learn, grow up or grow old in. It's home to some of the most beautiful parks in the world, some of the best schools in the country, and a pool of citizens that remind you of your fortune, aspirations, and humanity.

New Yorkers are actually very friendly, always looking out for one another and are only rude when outsiders (or locals) disrupt the natural flow of the city.

The Met, MoMA, Broadway, Off-Broadway, Madison Square Garden, Museum of Natural History, Central Park, Shakespeare in the Park, Riverside Park, Hudson River Park...this city is teeming with culture, natural and created beauty and sophistication.

If you think the city is a dirty mess, you haven't lived here. If you think it's a place to only visit and not live, you're unaware of the fabulous schools (K-12 and beyond), parents, parks, and resources that are available here and nowhere else.

Parts of it are dirty, but parts are beautiful. The same can be said of anywhere. It's also not a city for everyone, but no city is. It's not always crowded, in fact at times it feels completely your own.

It's annoying to have millions of people come and judge your city constantly. If you can't understand why people live here, I think that says more about you than NYC.

"Cant give it anything less"

I must be a bona fide "true New Yorker." Even with all the problems involved in living in New York City (and believe me, there are many), I can't bring myself to give the city anything less than five stars. While some "world-class" cities fail to live up to the hype (most notably London, which I can argue from experience is one of the least pleasant, least efficient, overrated places on the planet), New York does all that it promises and more. From the thriving, pulsing energy of midtown - where teenage girls with three dollars in their pocket still move to the Big City and sing at open mic nights hoping to catch a break - to the charming, sedate neighborhoods of the Upper East Side, New York City has a wealth of neighborhoods and atmospheres.

Having grown up (partly) in New York, I can attest that there are few places better to grow up (if private school is an affordable option). I learned about colors from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, my field trips were to St. John the Divine and the Museum of Natural History, and I played in the Ancient Playground in Central Park. I grew up in the family-friendly, community-driven neighborhood of Carnegie Hill, which still maintains the close "community" feel today.

That said, New York is expensive, and at times, downright unlivable. Combining federal, state, and city taxes with ever-rising rents and transport fare hikes and the rising cost of health care can make even a lawyer or banker in NYC feel like he's living hand-to-mouth. While New York has far more "free" or cheap cultural events than many other cities, and a huge range of dining options that encompasses the cheap as well as the Alain Ducasse, living here still requires a huge sacrifice when it comes to that monthly rent check.

But with theatre, museums, art, libraries, restaurants, and of course that all-pervasive New York energy (we're friendly, really!), it's worth every penny.

"Ive got a lot of love for New York City"

I lived in NYC for a short time, and it really is hard to say anything bad about it. While my time in NYC was extremely short, and I hope to get back there very soon...that's how much I enjoyed it. From the big city feel of Broadway to the cosy back alleys, cosy bars and pubs of Soho and Little Italy, this is one place in the world I would love to live in for a good amount of time.

For anyone questioning the move to NYC, don't Some people may say it's too busy, or that crime is through the roof - but don't listen to them. NYC is a great place to live, especially if you are young and single.

"Interesting Place to Visit But Not the Best Place to Live"

When it comes to being a visitor, you will love the many different sections of the city. Times Square has a lot of glitter and digital technology that will blow you out of the water. The Empire State Building is a historical building. It has appeared in many movies back in the '30s and '40s. Plus, the theater district has a lot to offer those who like watching plays. And there are a ton of restaurants that cater to nearly every ethnic group in the world.

NYC does have many things to offer visitors. However, I do not consider it a great place to live. There are many reasons to say this. One, the cost of living is very high. You need to make a minimum of $70,000 just to break even. Two, there are way too many people congregated in one place. It's like everybody is on top of you. There is no space to breathe. Three, there are not too many places to live in this city where you actually get a great view of a park, unless you live near Central Park. And most of the buildings there are very expensive condos.

If you have the money, and don't mind being crowded, you may make it here. If not, you can visit for a day or a week, gather up a lot of souvenirs and go back home.

Pros

Home to diverse people from all over the world, New York City is truly a global city

New York City is one of the most enigmatic cities in the world, a city that is a trend setter that recognizes and awards meritocracy

New York City has the most extensive public transport system in all of America and this system is a real boon for the people who live within its borders.

Cons

expensive

High rents and prices of all goods and services make New York City quite unaffordable for many people

crime rates

Schooling is also quite challenging in New York City as only a few of the public schools pass muster while the private school fees are stratospheric.

"Coming Home..."

The moment I arrived in New York I felt like I had finally come home. I was in my mid twenties, but I felt like I should have been born in this city from the start. The friendliness of the people, the vibe on the streets, the great restaurants and the overall feel from the city that puts a smile on my face really can't be found anywhere else. The only knock on this city is that it is 10 hrs from my hometown which is really too far for my home away from home...

"The city that never sleeps"

Greatest city, and state on the planet anytime of day anything you want right at your fingertips, anything. Most diverse place you could ever be , you will see people from every country and city across the world and will meet people ranging from birth to death from young to old. You will meet interesting people, uniteresting people, scary, ugly, beautiful, mean, nice, sceamers and suckers, like i said everything and anything you can think of; Its like a live movie that is so real, lively, and constanly entertaing that you have to belive in a higher power (no not Ganja). I love living here and wouldnt trade that for any amount of money, vacations, or unlimtied youth possible i envy the older people of this city just for what i have already missed and only had the priviledge of hearing about or reading about, and pity those that may never see this city and experience all its wonders and what it can offer. Everyday is literally a life experience that will stay with you forever and affect everyday forward.

"A drug called New York City"

People all over the world aspire at least once their lives to visit or to live in New York City, which is often described as the ‘center of the universe.’ New York City (The Big Apple) has an aura all of its own which helps it attract the world’s best talent. A leader in the spheres of finance, fashion and media, New York City is a vibrant and energetic city where people work hard and party even harder. New York City which is also known as ‘the city that never sleeps’ always appears to be busy and bustling as its inhabitants are always rushing around at a frantic pace. Nevertheless they almost always find time to stop and take in all the myriad forms of entertainment that it has to offer in the form of the many Broadway and off-Broadway shows that are staged at its numerous theatres, the various diverse restaurants that dot every neighborhood, the fantastic stores that offer almost every conceivable product ever produced, the art galleries and world famous museums and the many cultural institutions like the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall which provide a stage for various global artists.
New York City casts its spell on almost everybody that visits its shores so much so that once they succumb to its magic; they almost never want to leave this, the greatest city in the world.

Pros

New York City is one of the most enigmatic cities in the world, a city that is a trend setter that recognizes and awards meritocracy

Home to diverse people from all over the world, New York City is truly a global city

New York City has the most extensive public transport system in all of America and this system is a real boon for the people who live within its borders.

everyone dressed so well

excellent restaurants

great bar scene

Cons

High rents and prices of all goods and services make New York City quite unaffordable for many people

Schooling is also quite challenging in New York City as only a few of the public schools pass muster while the private school fees are stratospheric.

For all its liberalism, New York City has yet to pass a law allowing same sex marriages to be preformed though it does recognize those which have been preformed in other jurisdictions.

hhustedYou mean it is self-proclaimed the "center of the Universe." What is so special about it. It is just another overcrowded city in the U.S. I really don't see the hype around it. A lot of the city is disgusting looking. There are a few bright spots, however, like Times Square and Central Park. Otherwise, it may be a nice place to visit, but not to live at.

2yrs+

uptowngirl@hhusted say what you want , hate NYC as much as you want , you can't believe the allure the city has the world. I have lived and traveled extensively outside the US and whenever I tell folks that my home is NYC , they get all excited and want to know/ talk about all their experiences or even desire to visit NYC.

2yrs+

hhustedThat's because for the last 50 years the city has received so much hype. It has been a marketing ploy to get people to the place. Before the 16th century, NYC was just a barren wasteland. Then the white man stole it from the Native Indians for trinkets. Then construction began after that. The only reason developers bought this land was because it was a quick route from Canada for shipment of coal and wood by boat.

About the 19th century, a bunch of egomaniacs wanted to have one place to house all the financial concerns of the United States. They chose NYC because of it being so convenient to get to. The Federal Government later decided to place the United Nations in NYC, only because it was easily accessible by car, boat, and plane.

I've been to many cities in this country and have found many that were nicer looking, more pleasant people, cleaner, and even bigger in size and population than NYC. If you look at the map, NYC is the size of a pin head compared to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver. I talked to a number of my clients, who live in those cities and they all tell me one thing. When they visit NYC, they say it is a nice place to visit but not to live. Face facts. NYC is a pressure cooker. Why do you think 3/4 of the population are alcohols and drug addicts.

The allure you speak about was started by one man. I can't recall his name right now. But in the early 19th century, one man wanted NYC to be the primary focal point for everything. So he began marketing NYC as the greatest city in the world. I'll bet you didn't know this. When I was in San Francisco last year, a number of the people who lived there told me San Fran was the best city. I told them about NYC and they agreed it was just hype.

It doesn't matter where you go in this country, there will always be the one consistency. People will always say their city is the best. They live there so they should know. They are merely defending the place they live at. Plus, they take pride in where they live. I don't know if you heard about Cherry Hill, NJ. I grew up in the area. Cherry Hill makes NYC look like a second class city. Cherry Hill has a lot more going for it than NYC. And the people there believe their city is number one.

The only two things that NYC has that no other city has is a historic landmark and more theaters. Although, Philadelphia has NYC beat when it comes to historic landmarks. If you talk about being number one. Philadelphia is the only place where the Declaration of Independence was created, signed, and ratified.

By the way, I am entitled to my opinion.

2yrs+

uptowngirl@hhusted with all due respect you commented on my opinion. I am entitled to my opinion as well and it gets really tiresome to read all your NYC bashing comments. If you hate it so much you really should move as Uraniumfish has often said. A friend of mine made the move from NYC to San Francisco last year and it was not that tough for her- the move I mean.NYC is the fourth largest city in the world in terms of population-http://www.worldatlas.com/citypops.htm and like any big city it has its ills. You talk of it being a pressure cooker but many people who live here thrive on that fast paced atmosphere including me. Cities like Hong Kong and Mumbai two other big cities that I have lived in are even more stressful than NYC and they don't share its universal allure. Say what you want but the city attracts the country's best talent and if you say its all hype then the city's PR companies have done a great job promoting it.

2yrs+

hhustedActually, LA attracts the best talent. NYC may be second but not first. By the way, you talk about many people who thrive on pressure. I hear from many people in NYC who don't like the pressure, so I do not know who you talk to. I hate pressure. I am a laid back person. As for bashing, I have my legal right to. It is called Freedom of Speech. If you don't like reading it, don't.

Oh, by the way, you are not a true New Yorker. You are Indian, right. So why like NYC when India is your home.

2yrs+

uptowngirl@hhusted people who are in the movie business are attracted to LA but NYC attracts the best who want to make in the worlds of fashion, finance and media. The headquarters of most of the publishing houses and banks are in NYC not LA or even San Francisco. Moreover America's most recognized fashion week is New York Fashion Week not LA Fashion Week. Anyway I dont have to justify anything to you, you don't have an exclusive right to freedom of Speech and I am curious why choose my review to post your vitriolic comments when even the promoters of this very site have posted extremely favorable posts on the desirability of the city and they are Australian by the way. Yes I was not born and brought up in New York but that doesn't prevent me from loving it .. it is a city with a great openness and acceptance. It has historically been extremely welcoming of Immigrants .Ellis Island and the Lower East Side's Tenement museum are landmarks that stand testament to that nature of NYC, but sadly people like you will never get it.

2yrs+

hhustedI am a full time writer and author. I know where the publishing companies are located. Only a handful are here. The rest are in LA, and other cities around the country. And how do you get by saying NYC is where the banks are. Are you dreaming. Most of the major banks are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and in other places. Only the branches are here. You need to learn your history better.

Anyway, no one wants to continue reading our babble. If you wish to comment further, send me a private message.

2yrs+

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"Amazing"

new york new york is the place to be. if it isnt one thing its another. there is so much to offer in this city i love it.. from shopping, to eating. it has it all in one package. great for singles or families or just married couples. the place to be is in the nyc

"A great city"

Everyone knows NYC, so I do not need to advertise it. One thing I just want to say it is that it is a great place where to live. I moved here three years ago, and I am very impressed of the things this city has to offer every day. At the same time, it is not a perfect city, thus, you do not feel like living in a boring amusement park.

"New construction has ruined the old-time feel......"

At the end of the 1700’s, the Bowery was the most elegant street in NY. Before 100 years went by, the Bowery became synonymous with flophouses, homelessness, alcoholics, and people down on their luck. Today, it is being built up with soulless high-rise condos and buildings that make the remaining architectural gems hard to find. If you do find yourself in the area, walk a few blocks to Orchard to the Tenement Museum. It’s fascinating and worth your time.